Richard Mann, mitigating for Horth at yesterday’s hearing, said: “We are dealing with someone who has educational problems. He has got learning difficulties.”

Mr Mann said the root of Horth’s recent offending was that he was not receiving benefits after he was released from prison after serving a six week sentence imposed in December for begging and threatening behaviour following an incident at Lowestoft Library.

Jane Bowles, jailing Horth today for 16 weeks after he admitted breaching his ASBO, said: “This is in light of your many breaches in the past, your prolific offending in the past.

Horth could have bene jailed for up to five years for breaching the indeterminate ASBO.

After the case, PC Mark Sargeant, of the Lowestoft North Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: “We’re aware of how much distress his begging has caused law-abiding members of the public.

“A lot of work has been going on behind the scenes not only to catch him but to gather evidence so that measures could be put in place to deal with his behaviour.”

Anyone who wishes to report begging in Lowestoft should ring police on 101.